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G. E. STEVENSON.

MULTIPLEVSHAPER.

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G. E. STEVENSUH.

MULTiPLE SHAPER.

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G. E. STEVENSON. MULTIPLE SHAPER.

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MULTIPLE SHAFER.

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APPLICATION man JULY 3,1917.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

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.650665 ST/Nsa/j UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

GEORGE EMETT STEVENSON,.OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO STEVENSON GEAR AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

MULTIPLE SHAPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

Application led .Tuly 3, 1917. Sera-1 No. 178.335.

Be it known that I, GEORGE EMETT STE- vENsoN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented an Improvement in Multiple Shapers, of which the following is a specification.

- My present inventionrelates generally to multiple sliapers, and more particularly to machines for cutting all of the teeth of a ear, sprocket and the like at one operation, instead of cutting the same tooth by tooth as is now required, my primary object being the provision of a practical and efficient machine whereby this multiple operation may be carried out and wherein the parts are capable of ready adjustment to cut bevel gears, spur gears, skew gears, sprockets and other machine elements of this nature. A Generally speaking my invention pro)l poses a machine which .may be broadly d ivided into three parts, first a multiple armed power Lhead 'wliereb simultaneous and unie form application o power may be made a plurality' of cutters for cutting the gear or sprocket slots; second a directing body form in which the cutters and their supports are movable and adjustable in operation under the influence of the power head and certain mechanism controlling and adjusting the cutters during the action,`and third a semiautomatic turret arbor, the movements of 'which, entering directly into the formation of the gear or sprocket, are automatically controlled, and the multiplicity of arbors of which provides for the manual application of a gear or sprocket blank to one or more arbors thereof while another arbor with its blank is in the operating position for the action of the power head driven and directing body form controlled cutters.

Other objects of my invention, its novel points and advantages will. more particularly appear from the following description., in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and wherein-` y Figure l is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical longitudinal sectionY of substantially the complete machine.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the turret arbor, considering the latter as in the operative position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. l look- 1ng`at the rear of the directing body form.

ig. 4 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of a portion of the turret arbor and the directingbody form, to illustrate in particular one of the cutters.

Figs. 5 and 6 are horizontal sectional views through the turret arbor taken respectively on lines 5-5 and 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the outer end of one of the arbors removed. y

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross sectioii through the machine taken substantially oni the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a detail horizontal section taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. l() is an enlarged horizontal section taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Fig. l;

iig. 11 is a similar view taken substantially on the line 11-11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view partly in elevation and partly in section of the lower portion of the turret arbor and adjacent parts of the frame and driving mechanism thereof;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken substantially on line 13--13 of Fig. l;

ig. 14 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of portions of the turret arbor and directing body form, illustrating a slightly modified construction;

Fig. 15 is a similar view illustrating an other slightly modified form,

Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating the relative positions of the gear blank and one of the cutters, during the several stages of operation, and

Fig. 1T is a detail horizontal section taken substantially ou line 17-17 of Fig. 13.

Referring now to these figures, the frame 25 of my improved machine, which is generally rectangular in cross section, with its longitudinal axis disposed horizontally, has lower depending side portions 26 which serve to support the major portion of the frame in elevated position and which have forward side extensions 27 projecting forwardly beyond the forward end of` the reutangular portion of the frame. ward side extensions 27 of the frame just mentioned, as best seen in Fig. 8, have inner angular and beveled longitudinal edges 28` forming guides for the bed plate or platform 29 of the turret 30, the latter of which in operation has forwardly and rearwardly slidin y movements in addition to rotation, as wil bepresently described, the Vsliding movements taking place at the forward end of the rectangular portion of the main frame 25. At the same end the frame 25 'supports the directing body form 31.

In the rear portion of the main frame 25 a reciprocatingy head. 32 is longitudinally slidable, this head being of hollow rectangular form, as plainly seen by a comparison of Figs. 1 and 13, with a solid rear plate 33 from a central point of the latter of which a ptman 34 projects rearwardly to the crank 35 of a shaft 36, the latter'being transversely mounted in bearings 37 and 38 carried by the frame 25 rearwardly of the head 32. The bearing 37, as seen particularly in Fig. 13, is formed at the upper portion of an upright 39, forming a part of the frame 25 and through which upright is journaled a vertical shaft 40, having at its upper end, below the 'inner end of the shaft 36, a bevel gear 41.

Rotatably disposed upon the shaft 36 is a sleeve 42 having at its inner end a bevel gear 43 in mesh with the gear 41, and having at its outer end a clutch face 44 for engagement by a clutch member 45 splined on the outer portion of the shaft 36 and .having an inclined slot 45a and normally held in engaged position with the sleeve by means of a spring 46 to thus connect the sleeve with the shaft. To the sleeve 42 is secured a driven pulley 47 connected by a belt or other suitable power'connection to a suitable source of power, so that with the clutch member 45 in engaged position movement is transmitted to the head 32 through theA crank and pitman connection of the shaft therewith and to the .upright shaft 40, through the bevel gears 41 and 43, it being noted that movement of the clutch member 45 to released position, under the control of a yoke 48 and lever 49, the latter of which has a latch mechanism 50 in engagement with a notched quadrant 51, serves to manually disrupt operative connection to the head 32, although the shaft 40 continues to rotate by virtue of its connection through the gears 41 and 3, the latter of which is directly connected to the sleeve 42;

As seen in Fig. 1, thc shaft 40 is provided adjacent its lower end, and below the rectangular portion of the frame 25, with vertically spaced bevel gears 52 and 53, the former of which is in mesh with a bevel gear The fory pair or substitution, the inner end of 54 at the rear` end of a worm shaft 55. The lower gear 53 of the shaft 40 is in mesh with a similar gear 56 at the rear end of Va line shaft, the' latter being in forward and rear portions 57 and 58, respectively, connected by a sli 'j oint including a squared socket 59 at the orward end of the rear portion 58 and a squared rear end 60 of the forward portion 5T interfitting the socket.V

The directing body form 31, before-mentioned, which isdisposed between the power head 32 and the turret 30 andwhich has a generally solid body, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3 in particular, is of conical'shape with its smaller end foremost adjacent the turret so as to provide for the formation of bevel gears, its form being cylindrical, as seenat (S1 in Fig. 14, in connection with the cutting of spur gears. Y.

irrespective of its particular shape, the directing body form 31.as above stated,. is solid and may be either cast as a part of 'the rectangular frame 25 or cast in a separate piece and rigidly attached thereto.v The body form 31 isprovided with a plurality of equi-distantly spaced radial slots extending outwardl 1 therein from its inner periphery, as seen at 62 in Fig. 3 in particular, these radial slots equaling in number the spaces between the teeth of the gear to be cut and each receiving the radially shiftable box 63 of its respective cutter slide 64, the latter preferably of the irregular shape shown which slidably interfits the similarly shaped longitudinal bore of its box 63 in ordery to provide a long bearing face which will p revent quivering or other undesirable Vmoi'ement of the cutters.

Each of the cutters 65, one of which is shown in Fig. 4, is adjustably heldiby a set screw 6G in connection with a holder 67 pivoted at 68 within the lower forward end of its respective slide 64.1he holder being controlled by a spring G9 whereby the cutters may be readily removed for sharpening. re-

each of the holders 6T having an extension 7() interfitting a conformable extension 71 of the bore of the slide receiving the same.

The rear ends of the several slides 64 are connected by pitmen or connecting` arms 72 with the forward portion of the power head 32 so as to thus provide for simultaneous reciprocating movement of the series of cutter slides with their cutters, in guided relation within the bores of their boxes 63, the latter of which have radially and inwardly projecting arms 7 3 provided with angularly projecting pins 74 extending forwardly at their inner ends within the eccentric grooves 75 of cams 76 disposed within the conical bore 77 of the directing body form 31. in the `relation thereto as particularly seen by reference to Figs. 1 and 3. these cams 76 being secured upon or formed in connection with a cam shaft 7 8 projecting longitudinally of the machine land axially of the directing body form 31.

Rearwardly of the directing body form 31, the cam shaft'78 is journaled in the bearing 80 of a stationary support 81 extending vertically within the power head 32, the rear extremity of the said shaft 78 having a crank disk 82 the pin 83 of which engages the upper cam groove 84 of a vertical cam cylinder 85, the upper end of the shaft 86 of which is journaled in an upper rear arm 87 of the support 81, and the lower end of which extends below the base ofthe frame 25 and is provided with an enlarged horizontally disposed cam disk 88 and a worm wheel 89, the latter engaged by the worm 90 at. the forward end of the worm shaft 55, before j described.

Thus during the operation of the machine and during reciprocating movements of the cutter carrying slides 64, movement of which 4is caused by the power head 82 before de,k

scribed, the rotation of the cam members 7 6 will shift the boxings 63 with the slides 64 radially of the directing body form 31 and in the slots 462 thereof, whereby the teeth of the gear wheel being eut. will:` be properly shaped as hereinafter described.

'In Fig. 14`t-he parts coresponding to those previously described in' connection with Figs. 1 and 3 operate in the same manner,` the slide 64a being seen within its box 63, the latter having inwardly projecting arms 73*l connecting the same with the cams 76 of the cam shaft 78, and in Fig. 15 illus- `trating a further modification wherein the inclination of each of the slides 64b is so great as to preclude the use of a single connecting pitman as at 72 previously describe-d, the connection is made with the power head, 32a by means of bell crank levers, one which is seen at 91 fulcrumed upon a support 92, each of the arms of which has an end slot 93 in order that the connections with the powerl head and the rear end of the respective slides 61 may bemade by pins 94 extending through these slots. In Fig. 15 mentioned the box of the slide 64 appears at 63, its inwardly projecting arm at f3b and its controlling cam at 7G", the latter located upon its shaft 78".

The turret 30 has an upright body provided with a vertical bore 95 extending entirely through the same and connecting with the inner ends of radially extending horizontally dis osed bores 96, in each of the latter of w ich is disposed an arbor 97. The vertical bore 95 receives a stationary upright post 98 projecting vertically from the slidino' platform 29 of the turret as particularly seen in Fig. 2, and the turret is held thereon in rotatable relation by a nut. 99 threaded upon the upper portion of the post within the enlarged upper portion of` Vclutch member 109 is conti* ll the bore-95, in which the post has an upper 'extension 100 forming a support for an upright stem '101 supporting a stationary gear segment 102 and a cam 103. f

The lower portion of the turret has an annular series of rollers 104 engagingthe splined clutch member 109 for engagement with the clutch member 108 and the lower extremity of the shaft has a worm wheel 110 engaged by the worm 111, as seen in Fig. 8, of the forward portion 57 of the line shaft. The shaft 10i is journaled in the bearing arm 112 of an angular bracket 113 secured to the under side of the platform 29 by bolts or other f` tening memlbers 114 as seen in Fig. 12, aiirthis splined i automatically by a spring cont-rolled ell crank lever 115, shown in Flgs. 8 and 9. engaged by the inner end of a laterally projecting push rod 116, the outer end of which normally projects slightly beyond one side of the platform 29 with the clutch injreleased position. For this purpose the outer en'd of the `push rod 116 extends into a longitudinal r'ecess 117 in theadjacentfacc of one of the forward side portions 27 of the main frame, as seen particularly in Fig. 9, with the parts in the operative position shown in Fi 1 for the cutting of a gear.

he platform 29 is, however, connected by a pitman 118, shown iii Figs. 1 and 2. to

.one end of a bell crank lever 119. seen in F ig. 10, fulcrumed at 120 upon thc under side of the main frame, and the opposite end 121 of which has a roller disposed in the cam groove 122 of the horizontal cam disk 88. before described. so as to periodically shift the platform 20 forwardly to inoperative position and rearwardly to operative position, between which movements the turret is rotated by virtue of engagement of the clutch members 108 and 109 through inward movement of the push rod 11o. as the latter is shifted forwardly beyond the recess 117 of the frame.

At points vertically alined with the arbors 9T the turret 30 is furthermore provided with tapering locking extensions 123 which in the real-most operative positions of the turret enter a conformable recess 124 of the forward portion of the frame "25. as seen in Fig. 11. so as to prevent accidental shitting movements of the turret during the gear cutting` operation. for which purpose each of the locking projections 123 is further provided with a transverse opening 125 adjacent its extremity` for the-reception of a sliding spring actuated locking plug 126 .mounted in the frame, as seen in Fig. 11, its spring being at 12T. This plug has a pin 128 engaged by the forivard bifurcated end of a controlling arm 129,` as seen in Figs. 2 and 11, the rear end of which, as seen in Figs. 1 and 10, is pivoted at 130 to the under side of the frame and has an angular extremity 131 provided with a roller for engagement with a projection 132 of the cam disk 88 at a point slightly in advance of forward shifting movement of the turret platform 29, which projection thus serves not only to withdraw the locking plug 126 but to hold the latter in-retracted inoperative position during the reciprocating movement of the platform 29 and consequently during rotation of the turret. the plug being released when the turret has again returned in shifted position so that the spring 12's will force the plug 126 into operative engagement with the respective extension 123 once again. Y

Each of the arbors 9T ofthe turret 30. as best seen by reference to Figs. 2 and is provided with a longitudinal bore extending entirely therethrough and through the reduced cylindrical extension 133 at its outer end, which extension forms a seat for the gear blank and is, for this purpose, split,` as seen at 134 in Figs. 6 and 7, so that bv means of an internal wedge member 135 the split portions of the gear seat may be expanded to rigidly clamp the gear blank internally of the latter. This wedge member 135 has an inwardly projecting threaded stem 136 extending into the bore of the arbor and engaged by the adjacent internally threaded end of a shaft 13T extending through the bore of the arbor, the inner end of which is threaded at138, as seen particularly in Fig. 2, and is engaged byan internally threaded bevel gear 139, the latter of which is in turn engaged by upper and lower bevel gears 140 and 141 which hold the gear 139 against the inner end ofthe arbor 97 and prevent the same from longitudinal movement so that upon its rotation the shaft 137 will be moved longitudinally so as to shift the wedge member 135 into and out of operative position, depending upon the direction of such movement.

The gear 140, one of which is provided adjacent the inner end of," each of the arbors, is mounted upon the lower end of a vertically projecting Vshaft 142 having a spur gear 143 adjacent said bevel gear and having a hand wheel 144 at its upper end, While the gear 14.1, of which there is only one to the entire turret, is mounted upon the upper end of a rvertical shaft 145 journaled through the upright post 98 and the lower end of which ,has a bevel gear 146 below the main traine inengagement with a similar bevel gear 14'(v upon the .y forwidgprtlon 57 of the line shaft. the shaft 145 being posi- -tioncd so that its gear 141 engages each arbor gear 139 inthe inoperative position ofy the latter with respect to the gear cutting operation.

Thus with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2 the arbor 97 at the right is in position for the cutting of the bevel gear 148 shown seated thereon, and during the cutting of which a gear blank is placed upon the seat previously described at the outer end of the left hand arbor 97. Vlfhen the vblank is seated the operatorl depresses a foot piece 119, shown at the left in Fig. 2, located at the upperend of a rod 150 nor-` mally held in upper position by a` spring 151 and the lower end of which is connected by a bell crank lever 152, as plainly seen in Fig. 12, to the cone -shaped male member 153 of'a clutch. the female member 151 of which is loosely disposed upon the forward portion 5T of the line shaft although in rigid connection with the bevel gear 1-17 just previouslv Adescribed. Furthermore, piece 14D has an adjusting screw which limits its downward movement so that the movement of .member 153 of the clutch into the member 151 is correspondingly limited whereby rotation is communicated from the line shaft to the vertical shaft 115 at such power as to shift the shaft 137 longitudinally to effectively clamp and lock the gear blank upon its seat. without danger of stripping the gears should the operator neglect to release the foot piece 119 at the proper instant. This arrangen'ient provides for relative slipping movement of the clutch members 153 and 151 when the gear blank is effectively clamped.

Referring now to Fig. 5 it will be noted that the gear segment 102, before described, is So disposed as to engage the spur gear 143 of each of the vertical shafts 142 upon-rotation of the turret, as the latter moves forwardly upon the completion of each gear cutting operation, so that the respective shaft 142 will be rotated and through its gear 140 rotate the respective gear 139 so as to shift the respective arbor shaft 137 outwardly, thus releasing the previously completed clamping engagement of the cut gear Vso that when the turret has been rotated through a half turn with the parts as shown, the cut gear will be released from its seat and the gear blank presented in operative position foi the tooth cutting operation.

Immediately following the release of each of the cut gears, the gear is discharged from its seat through the action of its respective discharge arm 156, these arms extending over the top of the, turret, as best seen' in Fi s.l 2 and 6, with their outer forked ends 15 at opposite sides of the seen in Fi 8, and with their inner forked ends 158 disposed at spaced points with rethe foot ear seat, as

speet to the axiot' the turret and adjacent the upper ram 103 ot' the -tatlonary stein 101 so as to be engaged .thereby during the rotation of the turret `ubseouent to the engagement. of thegear .segment 10:! with the respective spur gear 141i. rlaeh of the discharge arms 156 works through bearings 15.) of the turret and is normallyv controlled and held in innermost position by a spring 160, against the tension of which the arm shifted by the cam 10i-l so vas to more its outer forked end 15T outwardl)v against the released gear 118 to shift the latter off its seat.

A\djacent its outer end each ot" the arbors 9T has` a depending gear segment 161 shiftable laterally in a slot in the turret so as to oseillate the arbor durin'g the gear cutting operation in bringing about proper 'shaping of the teeth of. the gear being eut. each of the segment gears 161 having an intermediate opening 162 by means of which it is loeke'l against movement except when the respective turret' arbor is in operative position. and said segment gear. 161 is engaged in such operative position by'a similar segment gear 163 secured to andI projecting ,above the forward end of a shaft 16h-journaled inthe mainframe '25. and provided at itrear end with a crank disk 165 and pin 166. the latter of which enters thev lower groove 16T of the `upright cam cylinder' y85, before described. "It being understood that the segment gears 161 'and163- are in en,-

v gagement only when the turret 'is in' operative position ready'for the tooth cutting operation. it follows that the gear 161 must be locked to prevent the slightest accidental shifting and provide for its accurate movement with the turret intoengagementwith the segment gear 163. For this purpose the turrent has adjacent each of its segment gears 161 a horizontally shiftable locking rod 168 the outer end of :which is movable into the opening 162 oft-he gear segment under the tension of a spring 169, the rod having intermediate pins 170 engaged by the upper slotted end of a bell crank lever 171 fulcrumed in the turret at 172' with its opposite end projecting exteriorly thereoffor engagement by a stationary angular arm173 carried by the frame adjacent the gear eutting station..4 Thus as the turret is moved forwardly. rotated through ahalf circle and again shifted rearwardly to bring a new blank into position at the gear cuttingf station7 the respective lever 171 engages the arm 1TB as the respective turret extension 123 is secured and locked -in thecut out portion of the frame, soV as to shift the rod 168 inwardly and free the respective gear segment 161 which is at this time in engagement with the gear Vsegment 163 of the shaft 164.

In operation, the arborfsupporting the gear being out is thus'oscillated during the the reeiproeation androtation of the turret.

.The second.' position shows the cutter in innermost position` after its full depth of cut with .the blank stationaryl after which the cutter withdrawn `from the blank as seen in the third position, with the blank shifted. The fourth position shows the `cutter `again in innermost position, during which inward movement the blank isv shifted to formv one side of one tooth. after which the cutter is withdrawn to the fifth position and the blank again shifted. The, `sixth position h-ows the cutter again iniunermost position during the movement of which the blank iS shifted to form-the adjacent side of the next tooth.

Finthermore referring to Fig;` 16, it will thus; be apparent .that during reoiprocation of the cutters between positions 1 and 2, the blank is stationary. and, as the cutters are drawn inwardly, the true radial cuts 'are made. The cutters, then withdraw and the blank is,partially rotated to the 3rd position, and is continuously moved in a `rotary directionas the cutter isi again moved inwardly during -reoiprocation' so that the cutter gradiiallyenters the groove previously formed. tothe-1th position, Vwhereby to shape the teeth at one side. Between the 4th and ,thpositiona` the cutters are withdrawn, just as they Were between the 2nd-and 3rd positions, and the blank is partially rotated vso in a reverse direction to the' 5th position, i

and then continuously moved lina. rotary direetion vbetween the 5thI and. (Sthpositions and during inward movement of the recip- L lcutters aremoved backand forth during each tooth cutting operation so that in following through thedesired sequence of opq erations the series of teeth of the gear bein cut will be completed between-the periods o movement of turret.-

By referring to Fig. v17 itA will be. noted that the cam cylinder 85 has a lug 174, seen also in Fig.' 1, for engagement'with the'inner free end of aflever 175, which latter is fulcrumed upon the bracket lf'lextending forwardly frointhe rear side portion of the frame V25 adjacent and in U member loof Fig. 13. The opposite end of the lever 175 has a. movable pivotal connecfrnt of clutch cam cylinder tion at 176 with the forward end of a push rod 177 normally held in forward posltion by a spring 178, the rear end of said push rod projecting through an opening in one rear side portion of the fran'ie 'forwardly of said clutch member 45 of Fig. 13, for engagement in the slot 45a of the enlargement of the clutch member 45. V

Thus, the lever 17 5 will be shiftedby the 85 to thrust the rearend' of the push rod 17 into the slot 45 at the completion of each cutting operation to forceM withdrawal of the clutch member 45 to released position against the tension of spring 11G.4

The clutch member will be held in such released position during the reciprocating and rotative movements of the turret to bringl a new blank into operating position, at which time the lug 174 will have completely passed the lever 175, and upon release of the latter the spring 178 will return the push rod 177 to the position shown in Fig. 17, so as to thus release the clutch member 45 which will once more engage the 'clutch sleeve 42 and complete driving connection to the reciprocating head 32, in'order` to start the operations of the cutters.

It is obvious when oneof the arbors `of the turret is in position to present the gear blank carried thereby at the tooth cutting station, the opposite arbor may be supplied Iwith a blank, which is clamped thereon by the means previously described, either by pressure upon the foot piece 1&9 or by rotation of the hand wheel lil. lVhen the-tooth cutting operation is completed the turret is automatically shifted. with its platform 29 and during such shifting movement is rotated through a half turn on the platform and then returned with the latter to operative position where it is locked with the. previously supplied and clamped blank in position for the tooth cutting operation.

It is to be borne in mind, however, that a great many ofthe details of construction as herein shown and described for the purpose of bringingl about the operation set forth may be varied, modified, and some dispensed with, without departing from the spirit and the terms of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. ln a` gear cutting machine, the combination of a blank supporting mechanism, a plurality of cutters for simultaneously acting upon the blank to form a plurality of grooves between a plurality of gear teeth,

and mechanism for simultaneously feeding the several cutters and shifting the same with respect to the blank during the cutting operation.

2.V In a gear cutting machine, the combination with a blank supporting mechanism. a plurality of cutters for simultaneously cutting a plurality of grooves between a plurality of gear teeth, mechanism for simultaneously feeding the several cutters, and mechanism for shifting the several cutters with respect to the blank duringr the cutting operation.

Il. In a gear cutting mechanism, the conrbiniltion of means for supporting a gear blank,` a plurality of reciprocating 4cutters for simultaneously cutting a plurality of grooves between a plurality of teeth `upon the blank, means having connection with the several cutters for other means having connection with the several cutters for shifting the same with respect to the blank duringthe cutting operation. 4 i

Lt. ln a gear cutting machine, the combination ofia blank supporting mechanism, a` plurality of cutters for simultaneously cutting a plurality of grooves between a plurality of teeth on the blank, mechanism for sinuiltaneously feeding the said cutters, and means whereby to shift the blank on its axis during the tooth cutting operation.

In a gear cutting machine. the combination of a blank supporting mechanism. an annular series of reciprocating cutters for simultaneously cutting teeth on the blank. means having connection with Ythe several cutters for actuating the same, and means for automatically shifting the several cut ters toward and away from their common center during such actuation. V

G. In a gear cutting machine, the combination of a blank supporting mechanism, an annular series of cutters for simultaneously cutting the gear teeth of the blank` and a reciprocating power head having connection with each of said cutters whereby to simultaneously actuate the latter.

7. In a gear cutting machine, the combination of a frame, an annular series of cutters mounted to reciprocate in the frame` blank supportingr means carried by the frame, adjacent the said cutters, and a power head mounted to reciprocate in the frame and having connection with each of said cutters to simultaneously actuate the latter.

In a gear cutting machine, the combination of a frame, means to support a gear blank to be cut, a plurality of cutters reciprocating in the frame for simultaneous action upon the gear blank to form a plurality of grooves between a plurality ofteeth around the blank. a powerhcad mounted to reciprocate in the frame, and connected to the several cutters, a. drivenshaft journaled in the frame, a crank carried by the said shaft, and a pitman connecting the crank with the power head for the, purpose described.

9. yIn a gear cutting machine, the combination 'of a blank supporting means, a plurality` of reciprocating cutters for simultaneous action upon the blank to form a plurality of grooves between a plurality of teeth feeding Ythe same, and

v simultaneously actuate the cutters, said cutters being arranged in an annular series, and

la guide form in which the several cutters reciprocate and are movable toward and away from theirlcommon axis.

11. In a gear cutting machine, the combination of means to support a gear blank, a plurality of cutters, and means to simultaneously actuate the cutters, said cutters being arranged in an annular series, a directing body form having a stationary support and provided with an annular series of radial slots in each of which slots one of said cuttersis mounted to reciprocate, and y to move toward and away from the said directing body form` f 12. In a gear cutting machine, the combination of means to support a gear blank, a frame, a directing body form rigidly supported by the frame adjacent and coaxial with the blank supporting means and having' an axial bore, and av plurality of slots radiating from the said bore, a plurality of reciprocating cutters mounted in the said slots, means for simultaneously moving the said cutters, and automatically actuated means disposed in the i ore ofthe body form,

y and having operative connections with the said cutters for shiftin the latter in the slots toward and away rom the axis of the body form.

13. In a gear cutting machine, ythe combination of means to support a gear blank, a frame, a directing body form rigidly supported by the frame adjacent the blank supporting measand having an axial bore and a plurality of slots radiating from the said bore, a plurality of reciprocating cutters mounted in the said slots, means for simultaneously moving the said cutters, automatically actuated means disposed in the bore of the body form and having operative connections with the said cutters for. shifting the latteryin the slots toward and away from the axis of the body form, said means consisting of cams, a shaft upon which the cams are 'mounted having a crank pin, and a cylinderl having` a cam groove in which. the crank pin is disposed, whereby the cams may be rotated to simultaneouslyshift several cutters. x p Q 14. Ina gear cutting machine, the combination of means to support a ar blank; a frame,a directing body form rigld with the frame and adjacent the gear blank, `Said u bodyform having an axial bore, and a. plus, rality of slots radiating from said bQlt ,nation of means to support a longitudinally bored cutter boxes disposed in each of the slots and shiftable therein toward and away from the axis of the body form, a cutter shiftable longitudinally in the bore`oi' each ofthe said boxes, means '7c connected to the cutters for simultaneously reciprocating the same, and means connected to the several boxes for simultaneously shifting the latter.

15. In a gear cutting machine, the combi 75 nation of means to support a gear blank, a frame, a directing body form rigid with the frame and adjacent the gear blank, said boldy form having an axial bore, and a ,plu-. ra -it longitudinally bored cutter'boxes di` msed in each of the slots and shiftable tlerein toward *and away from the axis of the body. form, a cutter shiftable longitudinallv in the bore of each oflthe said boxes, meilns con- 8.5

nected to the cutters for simultaneously re` ciprocating the same, each of said boxes having radially and inwardly projecting arms ,extendingl into the bore of the dlrectlng body form, and means 'disposed in the said 9o bore of the body form and e waging the several arms of the boxes for liiftingthe latten l16. In a'gear'cutting machine, the combiframe, a directing body form rigid Yith the frame and adjacent the gear bla k, said body form having an axial bore,^and a plurality of slots radiating from said bore,

longitudinally bored cutter boxes disposed 100.

in each of the slotsy and shiftable therein toward 'and away from the axis of the bodly form, a cutter shiftable longitudinally in the bore of each bof the said boxes, means, connected to the ters for-simultaneously reciprocatiilg the same, arms ext-endinginwardly from each of said cutter boxes arid within the bore of the body form', a shaft extending axiall of the'body form, camscarried by the s aft -119 and operatively engaging, the arms of e said boxes, an means for imparting o illa-tory movements to the said shaft. l

17.V In a gear cutting machine, the combi# nation of means to support a gear blank, a V

vframe, a directing body form rigid with th( 'frame and adjacent the gear blank, said body form having an axial bore, and a plul rality of slots radiating* from said bore,

longitudinally bored cuttlir boxes disposed'1'20 one in each of -the.s'lots and shiftabletheref ,in toward` and away .romj .the axisA ofthe" bod form, a cutter shiftable longitudinally int e bore of each of the said boxes, means connectedto the cutters for simltaneously reciprocating the same ar ms extend in wardly from each ofsiiid cutter box and Wthinthe .bore of [he body form,- a shaft extending'vaxially'f "he body form, cams carrieli by the shaft ard operativelyengag` 18uof slots radiating from said'bore, 80

gear blank, a 95 c'lut- 105 Y which the gear blank i nation of a plurality of ing the arms of the said box, means` for imparting oscillatory movements to the said shaft, said means including crank carried by the shaftand av cylinder provided with a cam groove in which the crank of the said shaft is engaged.

.18. In a gear cutting machine, the combinationfof a plurality4 of cutters, and means for simultaneously actuating the said cutters, means for holding a gear blank in position for action by said plurality of cutters consisting of a turret having an arbor in is disposed and held, and means for oscillating thesaid arbor with its gear blank during and in synchronism with the operation of the cutters.

19. In a gear cutting machine, the combicutters, and means for simultaneously actuating the said cntte 's, means for holding a gear blank in po- ;ion for action by said cutters consisting of a turret having an arbor on which the gear blank isdisposed and held, a gear member carried b y the arbor, a cam shaft, and a ear member carried by the cam shaft an engaging the gear member of the arbor for 'the purpose described.

20. In a gear cutting machine a plurality of simultaneously operating cutters, a turret having blank,supporting arbors, and rotatively mounted to successively bring its arbors into operative position adjacent to the cutters, means for shifting the turret bodily into and out of operative posit-ion, means for rotating the same durin its shifting movement, and means for locking the same against both rotative and bodily shifting movement when in operative position.

21. In a ear cutting machine, the combination wit a cutting mechanism, including a frame., of a blank supporting. mechanism including a latform having movement longitudinally o the frame, a turret rota- 'table on. the platform, cam controlled means for shifting the said. platform, with its turret, means for 'automatically rotating the turret during its shifting movement with the platform, and horizontally disposed arbors-carried by the said turret, each o which is provided at its outer end with means formingI a seat for a gear blank and a plurality of cutters acting simultaneously upon a blank on the said seat to simultaneously form a plurality of uniformly spaced teeth around thek blank.

22. In a gear cutting` machine, a .frame having forward guides, a plfitforin shiftable in the said guides, a turret carried by and rotatable onthe platform, arbors carried by and rotatable inthe turret, connections for rotating the arbors, including gear members movable-#into and out of engagement with one another upon shifting movement of the turret with its platform,

and means for ro.

tating the turret during its shifting move- 'nient With the platform,

23. In a gear cutting machine, a frame having forward guides, a. platform shiftable in the said guides, a turret rcarried by and rotatablc'on the latform, arbors carried b and rotatable in the turret, connections or rotatin the arbors including gear members niovabiie into and out of engagement with one another upon shifting movement of the turret with its platform, certain of which gears are secured to the arbors, and means for locking the arbor carried gears against movement during rotation of the turret and its movement with` the platform'.

. 24. In a gear cutting machine the combination of a cutting mechanism, a frame in which the cutting mechanism is mounted, a turret having blank supporting arbol-s and having rotatable and longitudinally shifting inovcnu-nts with respect to the traine, said turret having projections adjacent its arhors, and said frame having a recess to receive the said projections in the operative position ,of the turret to prevent displacenient of the latter during the cutting' operation.

25. In a gear cutting machine the combination of a cutting mechanism, a frame in which the cutting mechanism is mounted, a turret having blank supporting arbors and having rotatable and longitudinally shifting movements with respect to the frame, said turret having projections adjacent its arbors provided with openings, said frame having a recess to receive the said projections in the operative position of the turret, and means for locking each projection in operative position within the recess of the frame. A

26. In a gear cutting machine, a turret having arbors Vfor supporting lthe ear blanks, each of which arbors is provide on its outer end with a slotted extension forming a blank seat, and also has a longitudinal bore, means extending through the bore of the arbor for securing the blank upon the said seat, means for automatically releasing the blank, and meansfor shi ing the blank off of the seat when released.

27. In a gear cutting machine, a rotating turret having blank supporting arbors providedwith seats at their outer ends forl the reception of the gear blanks, means in connection with said blank seats for clamping the blanks thereon, means automatically acting during rotation of the turret for releasing the blank clamping means, and means also acting automatically during rotation of the turret for shifting the releasedblanks off of the seats.

Q8. In a gear cutting machine, a turret having .blank supporting means, iizieansv for ico reciprocating the turret bodily into and out of operative position, means for rotating the turret during its reciprocating movement, cutters for operating upon the blank when the turret is in operative position, and means to hold the cutters in inactive position during the rotation and reciprocation of the said turret.

29. In a gear cutting machine, a turret having blank supporting means and mounted to rotate und reciprocate, a plurality of cutters for action upon the blank when the turret is in operative position, driving connections for the cutters including a movable clutch, ineens for shifting the turret bodily into and out of operative position, means for rotating the turret during its shifting movement, and means for releasing the clutch ot' the cutters to render the latter inactivo durirggr the rotative und 1'eciprovutin; r movements of the turret.

GERGE EMETT CTE VEN SON.

litnesses z GEORGE R. STEVENSON, ROBERT L. Hickson. 

